FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is ending any speculation about his political future following weeks of "veepstakes" mania.
The Democrat governor who won re-election last year was among a shortlist of candidates being vetted to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in November's presidential election. Last week, Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for the pick, whom Beshear called "a great friend and a great choice."
As for what comes next, Beshear said he's looking forward to focusing his time at home.
"I don't intend to accept any position in Washington D.C. This is where I'm supposed to be," he said at Thursday's Team Kentucky update. "I had that moment touring eastern Kentucky where I knew it in my heart, I knew it in my soul."
The governor said he will continue helping to rebuild communities impacted by tornadoes and flooding in recent years, but is also excited about "revitalizing" the state.
"All these jobs that are coming in and hundreds of millions of dollars of coverage in [veepstakes] all over the world just introduces a lot of people to Kentucky -- a lot of potential employers that might not have been giving us a first, second or third look," Beshear said. "So I'm pretty excited about hopefully what this does for all of us moving forward, and I'm excited I get to continue here."
Beshear reiterated that he is grateful to have been considered for the position, adding that he can't remember a time when a Kentuckian went through the process.
"I hope I did us proud, that was my goal the entire time to make sure people were looking up to Kentucky - not down at us - like they've done for far too long," he said. "It was just pretty neat to see Kentucky written with all of those other states."
The Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago next week. Beshear will be attending as a delegate for Kentucky.
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